America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM...

Chapter 62, Section 63: The cooperation suddenly became pleasant.

That evening, MGM's official website released a one-minute video featuring Bumblebee in his costume, including a ten-second transformation sequence.

Although it still looks a bit rough and hasn't reached a perfect level, all that's missing is more refined polishing.

It took more than a month from MGM producing the initial draft to Weta Digital completing the preliminary stage for this design and movement.

This timeframe is already considered short, considering it was completed with Eric providing hands-on, on-site guidance for the changes.

Otherwise, you think you can finish it in a month? Dream on! It will take at least three months.

In Park City, at Sweetwater Estate, Eric opened another large villa.

Besides fine wine and meat, beautiful women were also plentiful. He threw out large sums of money, and soon high-class escorts came to his door. After venting his anger, Sergei finally got his way.

At this moment, the two were soaking in the hot spring, and the old man finally stopped nagging.

"You look much better."

Sergei exhaled a deep breath, as if he were cultivating immortality, seemingly still savoring the taste of what had just been tasted.

"Those two women you found are really good. People in the entertainment industry are really good at it."

"Uh, you've got it wrong, buddy. They're just high-end stuff. $2000 for takeout? I think that's a price gouging, especially since it's peak season during the Sundance Film Festival!"

"Time was too tight this time. If you'd like to experience what it's like to be a female celebrity, I'll arrange it next time."

Upon hearing this, Sergei became interested and tentatively asked, "Could you get Kate Winslet to come over? I quite like her."

"The Titanic?"

The man in his thirties surprisingly hesitated for a moment: "Yes, that's shredded meat, the dream of many men."

Eric was speechless. "Dude, you're almost forty, and you still believe in that stuff? Still playing the innocent card?"

Noticing the other person's strange look, Sergei quickly explained, "Actually, my family isn't happy. Rachel, who is my wife, and I've been separated for a long time. To be precise, we each do our own thing and don't bother each other."

"There was never any love between us. It was back in high school. We had a one-night stand, and then I got pregnant, and that's how we started our marriage in a daze."

"Sergei, with your status and position, what good would winning the lottery do? If you don't want it, just give her some money. Is it really necessary to get married? The price is too high!" Eric asked doubtfully.

Sergei shook his head helplessly: "No, you don't understand me. Although I also have the surname Hasenfield, I'm only from a branch family, a very distant one."

"Back then, I was a young man like you, actually even younger. I never enjoyed the family's wealth and fame. I was just a poor boy. State law didn't allow abortion, so I had no choice but to get married."

"Later, when I joined Hasbro, I gradually achieved the position I have today."

Eric gave him a thumbs up: "In that case, you can be considered independent, self-reliant, and accomplished at a young age."

Sergei remained silent for a moment, then suddenly gave a wry smile: "That's how it seems to outsiders, isn't it? But that's not actually the case."

"The main reason I was able to become the CEO of Hasbro is that Alan's two sons died in an accident, leaving him without an heir."

"And I'm an obedient person, so this position eventually came to me, that's all."

"Then."

Suddenly, Sergei seemed to have opened a floodgate of words, or perhaps he had been holding back for too long, and began to talk at length about his life.

Eric was so disheartened by what he heard that this seemingly glamorous man was actually so despicable behind the scenes.

Rather than an executive director, he was more like a puppet, a puppet at the mercy of his uncle, who was five generations removed from him.

Having outmaneuvered Hasbro this time, he was naturally used as a punching bag by his uncle. In Sergei's own words, he felt like a dog, a dog circling around Allen Hasenfield's feet.

His only pleasure was sex; only sex could restore some of his self-esteem.

With a sigh, Eric took a bottle of strong vodka from the cabinet.

"Have a drink, at least it will help you forget your troubles tonight."

Sergei didn't stand on ceremony and downed the 60-degree vodka in one gulp, the burning sensation instantly turning his face red.

He shook his head and told the other person not to go too far.

Eric got up and left, and soon two tall, beautiful women entered the hot spring.

At this time, the MGM video quickly gained a lot of attention online, and the short one-minute video was rapidly reposted to various forums.

MGM then went so far as to buy the GG logo on Yahoo's front page, so that the first thing you saw when you clicked on the website was Bumblebee's cool transformation screen.

Many people who were not originally interested in Transformers were drawn in.

Although some die-hard fans complain that it's different from the anime version, their numbers definitely can't compete with the general public.

As for Eric's directing career, it naturally stopped receiving attention, since the core selling point of "Transformers" was these metal lumps.

Seriously? Who watches Transformers to see the characters? Aren't they all here to see the Autobots and Decepticons?

If you can do these things well, the movie is already halfway to success, and the video released by MGM perfectly proves this point.

The next day, when Eric and Sergei met again, they tacitly avoided mentioning what had happened the day before, and the latter seemed to have transformed back into the spirited CEO.

At 9:30 a.m., as the market opened, Hasbro's stock price indeed soared.

"Hahaha. It worked! The stock price is starting to rise! Eric, you really are a genius!"

"Look at these people, they're all glued to that video, is that Bumblebee?"

"That's right, we've reached an agreement with General Motors. It will be a Chevrolet in the movie," Eric replied with a smile.

Sergei marveled at the transformation: "This is amazing! It's a completely different feeling from the animated version. I have a feeling that these Transformers will sell like hotcakes when the movie comes out."

As he spoke, the last clause of the performance-based agreement involuntarily came to mind: "Four times the sales revenue—is that really achievable?"

However, he quickly put his doubts aside: "Eric, now that things are resolved, I should return to New York to report to Allen. But I hope MGM won't make any more rash decisions."

Eric smiled and extended his hand: "Please rest assured, I wish you a safe journey, and I hope we can cooperate happily in the future!"

"It's a pleasure working with you!"

The two hugged, and Sergei got into the car.

The followers were puzzled. How did the relationship between these two suddenly become so good? They almost got into a fight yesterday. It was really strange!

Watching the car drive away, Eric couldn't help but recall their conversation from the previous night; perhaps Sergei could be a great asset.

The stock market is temporarily over, and I'm writing this specifically to prepare for taking over Hasbro in the future.

(End of this chapter)